PLEASE NOTE THERE IS NO CURRENT MYSTERY BOX CONTEST.

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UPDATE!!!

Announcing the launch of our 5th Mystery Box Contest!

We are returning to our earliest format for the contest, so please read the following carefully.

FAQ

What do I need to do to enter?

Write a poem inspired by the box.

The Rules

None.

Entry Fee

None.

How many poems can I enter?

One.

Judge

The Editors.

Judging Method

Blind.

So there will be no more voting?

After considerable thought, we are doing away with the public voting method because it has the potential to encourage contestants to invite their friends to vote for their poem, regardless of how meritorious that poem might or might not be. This method, with each entry read blindly by the judges, will ensure a completely unbiased read of all of the entries, thereby increasing everyone's chances that their poem might woo the judges, and decreasing the chances that any entry might be given an unfair advantage.

How do I enter the contest?

Upload your poem with no identifying information here. (Note: On the drop box page, where you are prompted to enter your name, please simply enter the name of the poem.) Then, so we can at the close of the contest match the poems to the poets, please send an email with the subject line "mystery box contest #5" to editor at poemeleon dot org; in the body of the email state only your name and the title of the poem.

What do I get if I win?

Bragging rights, publication as the prize-winner in an upcoming issue, plus the Mystery Box.

When will the contest end?

After we read the winning poem.

Does that mean there is no specified end date for the contest?

Yes.

What if no winner is chosen?

One will be, without a doubt. It could be tomorrow. It could be in six months. It could be in six years, although it is doubtful that it will take that long, but one never knows. Perfection can take an eternity.